Celtic Dominates Aberdeen 3-0 as Duran Shines
Camilo Duran delivered another highlight-reel strike as Celtic swept aside Aberdeen 3-0 to maintain their flawless start to the William Hill Premiership season.
Benjamin Nygren and Yang Hyun-jun joined him on the scoresheet, the damage done well before half-time on a night when Celtic’s new talisman looked utterly untouchable.
Duran steals the show
There was barely a hint of danger in the 14th minute when Duran took Nygren’s pass, 20 yards out and with Aberdeen bodies in front of him. Then he exploded.
Almost no backlift, just a violent swing of his right boot. The ball crashed off the underside of the bar and in, Marius Muller left grasping at air. Another spectacular goal to add to a growing catalogue since his summer move from Qarabag.
That makes it six goals in five games for the Colombian. On this evidence, Martin O’Neill will have a serious call to make when Kasper Hogh returns from a thigh injury. Duran was signed as someone who could play wide. He is now playing like a centre-forward you simply cannot move.
He did not stop at the opener. Duran repeatedly tested Muller in a relentless first half, drawing four saves and lashing one bouncing chance over after Yang’s cross had thrown the Dons defence into panic.
Dalglish ovation sets the tone
Before a ball was kicked, Celtic Park rose to acclaim Sir Kenny Dalglish. The 75-year-old, who revealed earlier this year that he is receiving treatment for cancer, stepped onto the pitch to a warm, lingering ovation as he spoke of his gratitude to Jock Stein, Celtic and the supporters for launching his career. The emotion in the stands quickly turned into energy on the pitch.
Callum McGregor returned from illness to anchor the midfield, while Liam Scales filled in at left-back for the injured Kieran Tierney. With that structure in place, Celtic quickly took control of possession and never really let it go.
Aberdeen had their moments in the opening spell. Ayoub Mouloua, handed his first start, headed wide from a decent opening, and Nesta Guinness-Walker saw a long-range effort held. Those half-chances felt important at the time. They were soon overshadowed.
Celtic punish Aberdeen ruthlessly
The second goal arrived on 34 minutes and summed up Celtic’s sharpness in both thought and execution.
Haissem Hassan swung in a cross, the ball ricocheted off Afeez Aremu, and Nygren reacted first. One touch, right foot, firm strike. Muller got something on it but not enough, the ball squirming in as Celtic tightened their grip.
Just when Aberdeen looked like they might find a lifeline, the fine margins turned brutally against them.
Gavin Molloy met Alexander Briedl’s corner with a powerful header and watched it cannon off the bar. Within seconds, Celtic were away. They surged upfield, Duran slipping a perfectly weighted pass into Yang’s path. The South Korean winger drove into the box and drilled a left-footed finish past Muller. From almost 2-1, it was 3-0. Aberdeen were floored.
Stephen Robinson’s response at the interval was drastic. Off came Aremu, Briedl, Kevin Nisbet and Mouloua. On came Lewis Smith, Connor Ronan, Toyosi Olusanya and Mitchy Ntelo. The message was clear: pride needed salvaging.
Aberdeen rally, Celtic flex their depth
The visitors did improve after the break. Smith, one of the four substitutes, forced a solid save from Viljami Sinisalo as Aberdeen finally asked some questions of the Celtic goalkeeper.
But this was Celtic’s night, and O’Neill used it to showcase the depth he has been assembling.
New signing Oliver Sorensen, the Danish midfielder, was introduced, along with on-loan Chelsea forward Shim Mheuka. Both quickly found themselves in scoring positions. Mheuka showed strength and sharp movement to carve out a chance, drawing a smart one-handed stop from Muller. Sorensen snatched at a first-time effort on his left foot and dragged it well wide, his radar still being calibrated.
Celtic, though, never loosened their grip. Muller had to stay busy, denying Scales and then substitutes Mika Baur and James Forrest as the hosts finished strongly, still hunting a fourth.
The scoreline stayed at three, but the message was louder than that. Celtic look ruthless, Duran looks unstoppable, and with new faces already threatening to make an impact, O’Neill’s biggest problem might soon be deciding who he can afford to leave out.
